ne): "I see we're having brea

aighter, running a h

(quietly):

beyond his closed door. He could alm

re afterward? Maybe a walk in the park, o

over the phone, warm

ment): "Coffee at the

y have an exhibit of local pain

self a small,

n: "I'd l

. I'll see you at

"Good nigh

eight of tomorrow's morning suddenly feeling... l

fell silent. No matter how he turned, sleep eluded him. He found himself replaying Rowan's

aste the smoke, still feel the night air on his skin. Rowan's steady gaze-so d

ssion wind its way throug

ing. Every quiet corner of his mi

re not

the image of Rowan on the rooftop st

the key to something impossible. Fingertips trembling, he hovered

, every second

igits blurred. Finally, he tapped Rowan's

soft, surpri

d over the speaker butto

"Why are you

then Rowan's

till be awake, too. Figured you

lief and something sharper-gr

are you doing up t

"I'm p

to himself): "Paint

hen the world won't quiet down

sleeves rolled, brush in hand, lost in

n: "Does

could. It gets my mind off t

filled with the unspoken. Then S

... I might ne

o come by tomorrow. You don't have

tightened with s

n: "I'd l

d. Now go to

oftly): "Good

ood night,

g, Rowan's words echoing in his mind. For the f

Serena and Sebastian w

ht spilling across a single table for two, crisp white napkins, and the gentle aroma o

light shirt, collar open-a small rebellion against the formality he'd grown

blouse that caught the light with every movement, hair loosely pinned back. When she saw him, s

y): "Good morn

ling): "Good mo

attentive-poured freshly brewed coffee

his feels..

t morning would be be

ed appre

: "Than

ived: warm croissants, butter pats

ing a berry): "T

ted something s

, struck by

preciate that mor

hives and smoked salmon on toast. They ate slowly, l

ll me something real abou

rs wrapped aroun

p well at home. Morning here i

not with pity, but

've been waking early in my new

her hair caught the sun

at else do you

led, th

p now-roses and jasmine. It's

ment, the city waking

coffee, a lingering look-the morning fe

nother quiet morning like this.

sing his cup):

softly, then

llway, sunlight trailing behind them. Sere

n glance

"Everythin

hovered over the screen, wher

o talk. No

bastian's, wide with

per): "That w

took a shuddering breath-and pressed "Open" on her phone screen,

est. Whatever came next, it wouldn'